Atlanta - Birminham - New Orleans - Memphis - Nashville - Atlanta in june/july

[Terje]

Hello.
I am new at this forum but already spotting lot of ideas and inspiration. We are two families from Norway that are hiring two RVs for this trip. We got the cars for two weeks and then we will stay in Atlanta for a couple of days (july 4.). We bring with us three kids age 8,12 for the trip as well, and they are of course really excited.
Any advice and suggestions on what to do, where to go will be appriciated. We are hoping to get a feeling of the south, the people, the culture, the food....

[AZBuck]

Velkommen! Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

In order to give you the best suggestions we can, we could use a little more info. Specifically, when and where will you have cars and when/where will you have RVs? I can tell you up front that it will almost certainly be cheaper to return each vehicle to the same place where you pick it up rather than using cars for part of the trip, changing over to RVs at some place in the middle of the trip (e.g. New Orleans), and then returning the RVs in the city where you rented the cars! Even if this means that you take two loop trios out and back from the same city, we could probably find some good options for you. Secondly, what are the kids' interests. Somehow I doubt that they're as into culture and food as the adults are. Keeping them happy will go a long way towards making this trip enjoyable for you as well. And finally, we don't need dollar (or Euro) figures, but are you on a tight budget? Moderate? The sky's the limit?

AZBuck

[Terje]

Thank you for your response. We have already booked the RVs and will pick them up and return them in Atlanta. We will be arriiving in Atlanta on june 15. Keeping the children happy is of course important and we must to things they like as well. We are planning a loop, starting in Atlant via Birmingham, Mobile, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville , Altanta. Something like that. As for the budget, I guess it's pretty moderate.
T.

[AZBuck]

There is a ton of 'stuff' on or near the routes (or nearby scenic byways) that you'll be taking that is suitable for you, the kids, or both. What I'm going to do then, as a first pass, is to just list some of it and let you have a look at the sites. Some are major attractions, some are quiet back roads or local parks. If you have further questions after you check the out, we'll be happy to try to answer them.

Between Atlanta and Birmingham:
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
Talladega Superspeedway Museum
Talladega Scenic Drive

In Birmingham:
Historical Sites
Arlington Plantation
The McWane Science Center

Between Birmingham and New Orleans:
Clarkco State Park
Paul Johnson State Park

In New Orleans:
The French Quarter
Jackson Square
Audubon Park
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Fontainebleau State Park (a state park with camping on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain

Between New Orleans and Natchez:
Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge
Rosedown Plantation

In Natchez:
Natchez National Historical Park
Longwood
Rosalie Mansion

Between Natchez and Memphis:
Natchez Trace Parkway to Tupelo
Elvis' Birthplace in Tupelo
The Rock 'N' Roll Scenic Byway to Memphis

In Memphis:
Graceland
Sun Studios
Beale Street
Mud Island

Between Memphis and Nashville:
Use US-64 to Shiloh National Military Park and
Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area then
the Natchez Trace Parkway (again) up to Nashville

In Nashville:
The Grand Ole Opry
Ryman Auditorium
Lane Motor Museum
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art
Tennessee State Museum

Between Nashville and Atlanta:
Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
New Echota Historic Site
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site

And some general notes: Some of the least utilized, lowest cost, and quietest campsites can be found in our National Forests, and any time you're visiting a national park, be sure to sign the kids up for the Junior Ranger Program.

AZBuck